I believe one crucial element that keeps us all running the race with passion and joy is edification and encouragement. I've realized that throughout the years of working with people (be it in church, college or workplace), the single most effective action to lift anyone's spirit is just a simple word of encouragement. That's essentially all it takes to make the difference between giving up and going on: the power of edification.
And encouragement doesn't need to come in the form of huge rewards. Sometimes I find that when people come up to me and say things like "Thank you", "That was great" or "I was really blessed by that", it just creates an atmosphere of appreciation that would propel you forward to greater things ahead.
And of course, the tongue is as powerful when it comes to negative criticism. I've just about had it with people who do nothing but comment negatively and criticize every single thing that you do or say. Sure, criticisms with a cause should be looked into and worked out, but people who consider themselves to be self-righteous and claim to possess the ideal principles and attitudes turn a constructive criticism into self-exaltation. I personally do get ticked off every time I'm confronted with statements or subtle hints that they disregard everything that you do or stand for; it's more bragging than actual encouragement or edification.
Oh well, it's good to sometimes do a self-examination of the words we use and the comments we make about others; a single word or tone could make the difference between building or breaking a person. Tame the tongue!
And encouragement doesn't need to come in the form of huge rewards. Sometimes I find that when people come up to me and say things like "Thank you", "That was great" or "I was really blessed by that", it just creates an atmosphere of appreciation that would propel you forward to greater things ahead.
And of course, the tongue is as powerful when it comes to negative criticism. I've just about had it with people who do nothing but comment negatively and criticize every single thing that you do or say. Sure, criticisms with a cause should be looked into and worked out, but people who consider themselves to be self-righteous and claim to possess the ideal principles and attitudes turn a constructive criticism into self-exaltation. I personally do get ticked off every time I'm confronted with statements or subtle hints that they disregard everything that you do or stand for; it's more bragging than actual encouragement or edification.
Oh well, it's good to sometimes do a self-examination of the words we use and the comments we make about others; a single word or tone could make the difference between building or breaking a person. Tame the tongue!
1 comment:
Let's not forget about the receiving end of the Power of the Tongue, which is the power of the Mind.
One has two choice when it comes to being the receiving end of a criticism. One: Ignore it, so the it doesnt affect or change your opinions of anything.
Two: Analyze the criticism for validity and decide whether the criticism is true or not. If yes, then accept it & behave accordingly. Else, see choice number one.
This is my philosophy.
One can be a stronger person just by choosing what can affect you and what can't. Especially mere words, words can't hurt you, it cant cut you, blugeon you or smash you physically. So One can say to oneself, "Am I going to let mere words affect my mood?"
THAT, my friend, is the power of the Mind.
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